Hooper had conducted an extensive search for the boat since it went missing from its mooring off Spruce Head on Feb. 10. Winds during the blizzard that lasted from Feb. 9-11 reached more than 60 miles per hour in gusts.

“I'd always hoped it could be found but as time went on, I was getting less optimistic,” Hooper said.

Hooper had the boat custom-built seven years ago at Clark Island Boat Works in St. George. The value of the vessel is about $350,000.

He said the crew of the Amy Philbrook, an offshore lobster boat owned by Shaft Master of Newington, N.H., spotted the missing vessel while it was fishing on the Georges Bank. Hooper said the location is about 150 miles from Spruce Head.

The Amy Philbrook is towing Xtreme Measures to Portsmouth, N.H., and Hooper said it likely will not be back on shore until Wednesday evening. He said he has not been in direct contact with the crew that found his boat, but has talked to Shaft Master officials on shore as well as with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Hooper's stepfather William Molloy, who has had boats and fished during his life, said you become attached to a vessel. He said everyone was thrilled that the vessel was found and is being returned.

Rockland harbor master Ed Glaser said he is not surprised that the boat was found despite the strong wind and high seas of the past two weeks.

“This shows that lobster boats are seaworthy,” Glaser said.

He said with good pumps and a strong battery, the boat should have been able to stay afloat. He said while it not unusual for a boat to drift out to sea during a storm, it is unusual for it to have gone that far.